John Lewis (14 December 1912 – 14 June 1969) was a British Labour Party politician, who played a major part in the controversial arrest of society osteopath Stephen Ward, landlord of Christine Keeler in the Profumo affair of 1963.
In July 1951, Lewis reported to the House of Commons Committee of Privileges to respond to charges that he tried to use Parliamentary privilege to escape charges that he drove into a policeman on his way to Parliament. Statements from witnesses said the MP, who was late for a division hit the traffic officer three times. The committee concluded that privilege for an MP was not "above the ordinary restraints of law which apply to fellow citizens. They do not discharge the member from obligations to society, which apply to him as much and perhaps more closely in that capacity as they apply to other subjects of The Crown."[4]
Role in Profumo scandaledit
Lewis had borne a deep grudge against society osteopath Stephen Ward (Christine Keeler's landlord), ever since Ward had introduced one of Lewis's girlfriends to a lesbian contact, who lured her away from him. On Christmas Eve 1962, Keeler was feeling angry about some small issue with Ward, and visited a Baker Street nightclub, just for someone to talk to. By the purest chance, she met Lewis, and poured out the whole story of Profumo and the Soviet diplomat Ivanov. Lewis was overjoyed at this opportunity to get Ward named as a national security risk, and also twist the facts to make it look as though he was living off immoral earnings. In partnership with George Wigg, who had a score to settle with Profumo, Lewis made frequent allegations to the police about Ward's activities, until they arrested him. When Ward committed suicide in mid-trial, Lewis celebrated with champagne.[5]
^Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [First published 1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 96. ISBN0-900178-06-X.
^ abStenton, Michael; Lees, Stephens (1981). Who's Who of British Members of Parliament: Volume IV, 1945–1979. Brighton: The Harvester Press. p. 216. ISBN0-85527-335-6.
^"M.P.'s car hit me 3 times, says P.C." Daily Express. 1 August 1951. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
^Honeytrap (1987) by Anthony Summers & Stephen Dorril. Chap.12.
External linksedit
Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by John Lewis
john, lewis, british, politician, other, british, politicians, this, name, john, lewis, disambiguation, john, lewis, december, 1912, june, 1969, british, labour, party, politician, played, major, part, controversial, arrest, society, osteopath, stephen, ward, . For other British politicians of this name see John Lewis disambiguation John Lewis 14 December 1912 14 June 1969 was a British Labour Party politician who played a major part in the controversial arrest of society osteopath Stephen Ward landlord of Christine Keeler in the Profumo affair of 1963 Contents 1 Career 2 Privilege hearing 3 Role in Profumo scandal 4 References 5 External linksCareer editAfter making a fortune in industrial rubber Lewis was elected as Member of Parliament MP for the two seat constituency of Bolton at the 1945 general election and became Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Postmaster General 1 2 The constituency was divided in a boundary review for the 1950 general election when he was returned as MP for the new Bolton West constituency 1 3 At the 1951 general election he lost his seat 3 to the Liberal candidate Arthur Holt Privilege hearing editIn July 1951 Lewis reported to the House of Commons Committee of Privileges to respond to charges that he tried to use Parliamentary privilege to escape charges that he drove into a policeman on his way to Parliament Statements from witnesses said the MP who was late for a division hit the traffic officer three times The committee concluded that privilege for an MP was not above the ordinary restraints of law which apply to fellow citizens They do not discharge the member from obligations to society which apply to him as much and perhaps more closely in that capacity as they apply to other subjects of The Crown 4 Role in Profumo scandal editLewis had borne a deep grudge against society osteopath Stephen Ward Christine Keeler s landlord ever since Ward had introduced one of Lewis s girlfriends to a lesbian contact who lured her away from him On Christmas Eve 1962 Keeler was feeling angry about some small issue with Ward and visited a Baker Street nightclub just for someone to talk to By the purest chance she met Lewis and poured out the whole story of Profumo and the Soviet diplomat Ivanov Lewis was overjoyed at this opportunity to get Ward named as a national security risk and also twist the facts to make it look as though he was living off immoral earnings In partnership with George Wigg who had a score to settle with Profumo Lewis made frequent allegations to the police about Ward s activities until they arrested him When Ward committed suicide in mid trial Lewis celebrated with champagne 5 References edit a b Leigh Rayment s Historical List of MPs Constituencies beginning with B part 4 Craig F W S 1983 First published 1969 British parliamentary election results 1918 1949 3rd ed Chichester Parliamentary Research Services p 96 ISBN 0 900178 06 X a b Stenton Michael Lees Stephens 1981 Who s Who of British Members of Parliament Volume IV 1945 1979 Brighton The Harvester Press p 216 ISBN 0 85527 335 6 M P s car hit me 3 times says P C Daily Express 1 August 1951 Retrieved 2 August 2010 Honeytrap 1987 by Anthony Summers amp Stephen Dorril Chap 12 External links editHansard 1803 2005 contributions in Parliament by John Lewis Parliament of the United Kingdom Preceded bySir Edward Cadogan Sir Cyril Entwistle Member of Parliament for Bolton1945 1950 With Jack Jones Constituency abolished New constituency Member of Parliament for Bolton West1950 1951 Succeeded byArthur Holt nbsp nbsp nbsp This article about a Labour Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom MP representing an English constituency is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Lewis British politician amp oldid 1148682314, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
